4 Ways to Decide If You Should Quit Your Job

Whether you are dissatisfied, unhappy, or just want to pursue other opportunities, you are contemplating whether or not to resign from your current job. Years ago, employees could quit their job and easily find another job within days. However, the current employment situation in Canada is not like this anymore with many people struggling to secure meaningful, full-time jobs.

Before you submit your resignation, you need to consider numerous factors and being mindful of them will aid you in making the right decision.

1. The problem

Before submitting your notice, it would be beneficial for you to figure out exactly what the problem is that makes you want to leave your current position. The first step to solving the issue is first establishing what it is and for all you know, it may be resolvable and you will be able to stay put. The people you work with, the workplace, or the work itself can be problematic at times and while there is no easy fix for either of these, the issue will remain or get worse if ignored.

Before resigning, reach out and connect with people who may be able to help such as your direct supervisor or someone from human resources. It may be possible for them to address any issues that cause a poisoned work environment or re-assign you to a position more fulfilling to you. They key is communication because without it, the problems you are experiencing may not be obvious. If your problem requires legal help, you may want to speak with an employment lawyer for further action.

2. Future employment

Before resigning, you need to be extremely mindful of your future. If you have no job to transfer to as of yet, while you have every intention to get a job in the position that you want as soon as possible, it is not always that easy. You may end up having to apply for employment benefits or accept a job that pays less than what you were making. Either way you may not be able to sustain the standard of living you have grown accustomed to.

If you have another position lined up, it may end up not meeting your expectations or the issues that caused you to leave may be exponentially worse in this new workplace. Before resigning, make sure that you have another job lined up and have all of its details specified in writing from your new employer. If you have no prospects, consider looking at other roles within your current organization or consider staying before handing in your resignation.

3. Expenses

You have bills, a mortgage or rent, and personal expenses and they cannot be put on hold in the event you are unemployed. Being mindful of this before resigning from your current position is crucial. It is recommended that anyone who quits their job has enough money saved up to take care of at least 6 months’ worth of expenses.

Before making the decision to resign, take inventory of all of your expenses and measure it against the savings you have because although you might be able to secure employment sooner rather than later, you need to prepare for the worst case scenario. If you do not have a significant amount of savings, it is advisable to delay quitting your job until you have saved a comfortable amount.

4. Leave vs. leave of absence

At present you may feel undervalued, unappreciated, or burnt out, but is leaving the answer? These feelings should not be dismissed or underestimated because they can definitely take a serious toll on an employee, but there are different courses of actions to take than resigning. Most workplaces offer leaves of absences that allow employees to address mental health issues or assume different roles with the understanding they will return after a specified period of time.

A vacation can also relieve stress and give you some much-needed time away from your job and the workplace. A leave of absence or holiday may be just the thing you need to re-energize and become enthusiastic once again about your role instead of quitting.